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According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, both Chelsea and Liverpool were unable to convince RB Leipzig center-back Dayot Upamecano to move to England. Simply put by Romano, Bayern Munich “immediately satisfied his requests.”
With deep pockets and a strong will to add defensive help, both Chelsea and Liverpool had to be left stinging a bit:
Upamecano received more than one approach from Chelsea, Liverpool were planning for a move in the summer. But he’s joining Bayern Münich [until 2026] because they immediately satisfied his requests. Deal to be signed in the next months, when Bayern will pay the release clause.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 13, 2021
As we found out yesterday, Upamecano had several reasons to select Bayern Munich aside of the contract and undoubtedly loft salary he was offered. Both sporting director Hasan “Brazzo” Salihamidzic and manager Hansi Flick put a personal touch on the recruitment, but it was also the strong French contingent that already existed in Bavaria.
With Lucas Hernandez, Benjamin Pavard, Kingsley Coman, Bouna Sarr, Corentin Tolisso, and Tanguy Nianzou currently on the roster, Upamecano might feel right at home in the Bayern Munich locker room.
Certainly Chelsea and Liverpool can now turn their respective focus toward a couple of Bayern Munich players, who are expected to become free agents (David Alaba and Jerome Boateng) or a younger, stronger option, who would potentially cost a bit to obtain (Niklas Süle).
Either way, it is a safe bet to say that both Chelsea and Liverpool will drop some serious coin —via transfer fee, salary, or both — during the summer transfer window on a defender.